254 - Year 43 Creator: Peter Milligan

Coming over from X-Force/X-Statix, Milligan carves out a darker, weirder niche for Adjectiveless in contrast to the more traditional super-heroics of Claremont & Whedon on Uncanny & Astonishing.

#2005XMen #60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen

253 - Year 43 Cover: Astonishing X-Men #12

Kinda sums up the X-Men/Xavier relationship for the next dozen plus years in one image, doesn't it?

#2005XMen #60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen

Peter Milligan & X-23 come aboard, Psylocke returns, and Danger debuts! The Greys end! The ANAD X-Men celebrate their 30th birthday by killing Banshee! Wolverine joins the Avengers, Magneto rules the House of M & no more mutants in #2005XMen!
#60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen

252 - Year 42 Memorable Moment: Colossus Returns

Colossus' return midway through Astonishing's inaugural run is all the more surprising given how Morrison was told they couldn't bring him back just a scant few years earlier.

#2004XMen #60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen

As Lorna Dane escapes, Havok considers whether it’s worth firing at the woman he loves…and he ultimately shoots. She easily deflects his beam, and he is wracked with guilt because, as she says, “…it’s the thought that counts. What matters is, you tried!” #marvel #xmen

I don’t want to go through the whole fight with the Marauders, but this panel pretty much sums it up. Also, it’s a great character moment for Longshot! #marvel #xmen

While everything else is going on with the Marauders, Ororo is off on some sort of vision quest with Naze, searching for Forge to get her powers back. Right now they’re fighting creatures called the Eye Killers, but things should escalate in future issues! #marvel #xmen

I forgot why Lorna Dane turned evil, but this scene reminded me: She is being possessed by Malice, the incorporeal member of the Marauders who can only control others. Of course we’ve seen her before, but Havok is shocked when he discovers it’s his girlfriend! #marvel #xmen

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this visual of Dazzler absorbing all sound energy from the beach—and the confused looks from all the beachgoers when everything suddenly goes silent! #marvel #xmen

Rogue is nearly unconscious on the beach, while three kids named Akira, Eiko, and Jiro wonder about her identity. Based on their names, I believe they are characters from a manga called Hajimete no Aku (My First Devil)! So many Easter eggs in this issue! #marvel #xmen

Dazzler finally rescues Rogue, which also helps repair the emotional rift between them. They’re still both in a weakened state, but now they have to go up against Polaris! #marvel #xmen

Madelyne and Rogue are trapped in the ocean under tons of metal, so Dazzler dives in to break them free. She has enough energy to free Madelyne at least, but her strength is already fading as she goes to get Rogue…. #marvel #xmen

Madelyne may be an ordinary person, but she has enough stored anger to fight back against Scalphunter…or at least, to hold him off long enough for Dazzler to get in a lucky shot! #marvel #xmen

Temporarily led by Wolverine, the X-Men are in San Francisco to rescue Madelyne Pryor, who (as previously mentioned) has been kidnapped by the Marauders. But they had better hurry, because the Marauders have orders to kill her! #marvel #xmen

A really effective way to establish Mister Sinister as a menacing figure is by showing him overpowering Sabretooth—with one hand, no less! He confirms that they have obliterated every trace of Madelyne Pryor’s existence, and now they plan to terminate her life! #marvel #xmen

251 - Year 42 Fun Fact: Alan Davis Redux

According to Davis, he was asked back to Uncanny out of a desire to make the X-books more kid-friendly, a sentiment he agreed with, leading to his reunion w/Claremont & the X-Men.

#2004XMen #60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen

Year 35 Character Runner-Up: Marrow

Perhaps no new member of the revamped post-OZT lineup got more of a spotlight than Marrow, w/a re-introductory solo team-up w/Spider-Man, a role on Iceman's ad hoc team, & a showdown w/Wolverine.

#1997XMen #60YearsOfX #Xmen60 #Xmen

He had a behind-the-scenes appearance in Uncanny X-Men #213 [M6516]—I think you only hear his voice—but this is the first actual appearance of Mister Sinister, the force leading the Marauders! #marvel #xmen

Holy heck y’all look what’s been added to Marvel Unlimited this week! (And thanks to @roblondon for the heads-up!) #Marvel #comics #JimMahfood #XMen #GenerationX #90s #IndieComics

250 - Year 42 Comic: Astonishing X-Men #1

While not as significant a sea change as Giant-Size, Adjectiveless or even New X-Men #114, it still marks a return to more traditional superheroics & the beginning of the long "Cyclops in charge" era.

#2004XMen #60YearsOfX #XMen60 #XMen